Articles In 'Home Tips'

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Between 2016 and 2020, fire departments responded to an estimated 44,210 home fires caused by heating equipment annually. Almost one-fifth of all home fire fatalities came from home heating fires, and almost a quarter of all property damage from home heating fires came from chimney fires. That’s because chimney fires can reach remarkably high temperatures, up to 2,000°F! On the othe... read more.

• January 27, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Winter usually brings lower temperatures and higher energy bills. Unfortunately, the strain on your wallet may be a bit greater this year with rising oil and gas prices. That’s why we put together these simple energy efficiency tips. They can help you save energy and money and also stay warm and toasty all winter long. Tip #1 – Get smart about your home temperature Adjusting your thermostat can help you save money. While that may seem hard to do, consider lowering your thermostat while you&r... read more.

• January 13, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips, Weather Safety

As we enter the colder months, you may seek creative ways to reduce your heating bills, especially with oil and gas prices fluctuating. But when it comes to home heating, safety should always be your top priority. We put together these home heating tips to help you stay safe and warm all winter long! Give your space heater some space  Space heaters can help warm the colder areas around your home efficiently. Unfortunately, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) found that fixed or portabl... read more.

• November 04, 2022

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips, Weather Safety

With hayrides, trick-or-treating, and grand feasts, fall is one of the most exciting times of the year. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the scariest and not because of Halloween. Cold temperatures, severe storms, and dare we say, snow – can stop you from enjoying leaf peeping and other fun activities. Prevent costly repairs and other unfortunate surprises at home with these nine frighteningly easy home maintenance tasks you need to complete this season! #1 – Call your HVAC magician One o... read more.

• September 28, 2022

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Your home is one of the safest places for you, but unfortunately, it can also be one of the most dangerous. Lead, electricity, even stairs can create hazardous conditions. Thankfully, experts have created safety features to help manage dangerous areas of your home and help keep you safe.  One such safety feature is a ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI. Since GFCIs were introduced in the 1970s, electrocutions have dropped significantly, but how do you know if your GFCIs are working properly? Bre... read more.

• August 26, 2022

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Americans generally spend 90 percent of their time indoors, where pollutants can be as much as five times higher than the great outdoors. Carpeting has volatile organic compounds that give off a gas, and even your shower curtain has hazardous air pollutants. Your home may also have radon and carbon monoxide, and both are dangerous to your health. Keep your indoor living environment healthy and your air fresh with these simple indoor air quality tips! #1 – Find out how healthy (or unhealthy) you... read more.

• August 05, 2022

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

There’s no place like home, but you don’t always want to stay there. Sometimes, you need to get away. Unfortunately, when you’re not home, others may want to crash at your place – or crash through your back window. So how can you protect your home and make sure your snow globe collection remains intact?   Here are 10 essential home security tips to help keep your home safe this summer (and during every getaway). #1 – Turn off your lights (and then turn them back on) On... read more.

• July 22, 2022

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Summer is a time for lazy, hazy, crazy days, but it’s also a time for damaging storms and sweltering heat. Like you need sunscreen and ponchos, your home needs protection from the harsh elements. That’s why we put together these top tips to help ready your home for the unpredictable and potentially rough summer weather. Tip #1 – Clean gutters and downspouts ? Winter weather may have damaged your gutters, and the pollen and blossoms of spring (particularly if you have a lot of tree... read more.

• June 24, 2022

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

If you witness any of these warning signs, your home needs an electrical security check pronto! Electricity is essential to modern life, but it can also be dangerous! Burns, shocks, and other hazards can occur, especially in older appliances and homes. That’s why it’s imperative to keep your home’s systems up to date, but unlike your plumbing system, which needs an annual inspection, electrical checkups are needed the moment an issue occurs. Here are a few warning signs that tell you it&... read more.

• June 09, 2022

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

It’s National Barbecue Month! Stay safe this month and all summer long with the help of these top outdoor grilling safety tips! May is National Barbecue Month, which means it’s time to fire up the grill! Unfortunately, with a homemade char-grilled burger also comes danger. The National Fire Protection Association reports that approximately 8,900 home fires are caused by grills each year, and on average, more than 19,000 people end up in the emergency room each year with grill-related injur... read more.

• May 25, 2022